Marlon Samuels has been linked to a potential match-fixing scandal stemming from purported conversations with an Indian bookie ahead of the first ODI of the recently concluded series in India. Varying reports of the incident have surfaced today, making it unclear as to what exactly has transpired.
The common thread seems to be that Samuels engaged in telephone conversations with a bookie, Mukesh Kochar during which Samuels is said to have provided the bookie with team information along the lines of the Windies' batting and bowling orders. Nobody has yet made the assertion that this is a case of match-fixing, as details of the case are yet to be disclosed. All reports thus far, however, have pointed to there being no proof that money was involved. Samuels has confirmed having conversations with Kochar, but denies knowing that he was a bookie at the time. Amidst all this uncertainty, the rules set forth by the ICC are very rigid. According to the ICC Code of Conduct, any player found guilty of fixing the result of a match can expect an automatic life ban. There are a host of other instances that could incur a minimum two year ban.
Given the good form shown by Samuels during the course of that Indian series, this can only serve as a hindrance to both him and the Windies ahead of the Cricket World Cup. As more information is revealed to the public in the ensuing days, it will become clearer as to whether or not Samuels will be in line for disciplinary action. The game in question took place on January 21 in Nagpur, and the West Indies lost by 14 runs. Samuels scored 40 from 60 deliveries as his team failed to chase 338. He also had bowling figures of 10-0-53-0, the most economical of the Windies attack. In four matches, Samuels compiled 194 runs at an average of 48.50 with a top score of 98. He also proved to be the most economical of the bowlers, conceding 5 runs per over.
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Wed, 07/02/2007 - 9:37pm
Something is definitely up here. If these conversations were all innocent as Samuels is saying (he claims he didn't know the guy was a bookie), then he is incredibly naive. Everyone in international cricket knows about the bookie scandals in India. Why would he divulge sensitive team information? I'm sure players must have been warned about this when travelling to India.
Wed, 07/02/2007 - 9:45pm
That said, I don't think there was match fixing involved. At least I hope not. It seems the bookie was probably using the info to bet on things like the team make-up. Question is, what did Samuels get in return? The Indian police are quoted as saying that there were promises made. What 'promises'? We will have to see. The ICC code of Conduct is pretty strict with regards to gambling as well as providing sensitive info to gamblers - minimum 2 year ban.
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